A student and faculty member conducting research in a UAlbany nanotechnology lab.

Bachelor of Science in
Nanoscale Science

Program of Study

programofstudy

In the nanoscale science major, you’ll experience a broad-based program that gives you a theoretical and applied understanding of atomic scale phenomena, behaviors and properties of matter.

You’ll get a strong foundation in mathematics and physical, chemical and material sciences while studying applied science concepts related to these disciplines in a range of nanoengineering and nanotechnology courses.


Nanoscience Core Courses

  • Integrated NanoLaboratory I & II
  • Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Statistical Mechanics of Nanoscale Systems
  • Structure of Matter
  • Introduction to Quantum Theory for Nanoscale Systems
  • Nanoscale Molecular Materials and Soft Matter
  • Quantum Origins of Material Properties
  • Capstone Research I, II & III


Nanoscience Electives

Choose two:

  • Introduction to Nanoscale Design and Manufacturing
  • Computer Control of Instrumentation
  • Introduction to Nanoengineering Electronics
  • Introduction to Nanobioscience 
  • Mechanisms: Organic Chemistry

Nanotechnology Courses

Choose two:

  • Nanotechnology Survey 
  • Societal Impacts of Nanotechnology 
  • Economic Impacts of Nanotechnology 
  • Disruptive Nanotechnologies 


Math and Science Courses

  • Chemical Principles of Nanoscale Science and Engineering I & II
  • Chemical Principles of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Lab I & II
  • Physical Principles of Nanoscale Science and Engineering I, II & III
  • Physical Principles of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Lab I, II & III
  • Calculus I &II
  • Calculus of Several Variables 
  • Ordinary Differential Equations
  • Linear Algebra


Nanoscale Science or Engineering Electives

9 credits as advised


Nanoscale Science or Nanoscale Engineering Courses

6 credits at the 400-level


Concentrations

Choose one of the concentrations below.

Concentrations
Materials 

Take a deeper dive into the application of nanoengineering principles to materials science, which is integral to every industrial sector, including electronics, manufacturing and energy. You’ll study how matter can be manipulated to create new materials with extraordinary properties that can improve lives.

Courses

  • Nanoscale Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Advanced Physical/Chemical Concepts for Nanoscale Science
  • Electronic Properties of Nanomaterials
  • Nanoscale Electronic Devices
  • Growth of Nanostructured Materials
  • Nanostructural Characterization Techniques
Nanobioscience

This concentration will introduce you to the convergence of medicine and life science with nanoscale science and engineering. Discover how studying matter at the nanoscale can be harnessed for therapeutics, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, toxicology and biomanufacturing.

Courses

  • Biochemical Principles for Nanoscale Science
  • Nanoscale Chemical and Biological Sensors
  • Nanobiological Systems
  • Nanobiology for Nanotechnology Applications
  • Introduction to Pharmaceuticals and Biomanufacturing
  • Introduction to Cellular Signaling
  • Nanotoxicology
Research and Facilities

At UAlbany's College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE), which makes its home in the Albany NanoTech Complex, you’ll be perfectly positioned to benefit from ample research and internship opportunities. This hands-on experience in an intellectually vibrant powerhouse for research, education, development, tech acceleration, business incubation and prototyping can lead to career opportunities with one of Albany NanoTech’s numerous onsite corporate partners, including IBM, Global Foundries, Samsung, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, ASML and Lam Research.

In addition to the Albany NanoTech Complex, the most advanced facility of its kind in North America, CNSE is also home to other research labs and programs: 

  •  The Advanced Cybersecurity Research Lab (ACRL), a hub for investigating cybersecurity, machine learning and autonomic computing approaches.
  • The New York State Data Center, a partnership between the New York State Office of Information Technology and New York State Office of General Services that’s dedicated to making government IT operations and services more efficient and reliable.
  • The Center for Advanced Semiconductor Power Electronics Research (CASPER), an organization working to advance power electronics based on wide bandgap materials.
A student conducting research in a UAlbany nanotechnology lab.
bs-nano-science-research
Career Outcomes

With a bachelor’s degree in nanoscale science, you will be prepared for a career in a variety of industries and fields, including aerospace, biotechnology, energy, electronics, materials science, medicine, pharmaceuticals and sustainability. You’ll also be well equipped to pursue an advanced degree, which past graduates have done successfully at the University at Albany as well as other prestigious institutions, including Harvard, Yale, University of Pennsylvania and Stanford.

 

 

Recent employers for our nanoscale science graduates include:

  • AmSpec
  • ASML
  • Evaluate
  • GE
  • GLOBALFOUNDRIES
  • iAdvize
  • IBM
  • IPG Photonics
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • MACOM
  • NEXX Systems
  • Northrup Grumman
  • Performance Logic
  • RNA Institute
  • Regeneron
  • Tokyo Electron
career

“(The) opportunities for research very early in my undergraduate career were indispensable in helping me develop my current research interests as well as important skills and habits.”

- Steven Gassner, ‘20, Current PhD student, University of Pennsylvania

International Students

This degree is designated as a STEM program. International students maintaining F-1 status are allowed to apply for up to 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion/graduation from their degree program. Currently, this degree program is also designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an eligible degree for the F-1 STEM OPT work authorization extension; students who secure qualifying employment may be eligible to apply for the STEM OPT extension for a cumulative total of up to 36 months of F-1 OPT work authorization.

What Makes The University at Albany Great

Student move-in day.

Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

A student abroad visiting a monument.

Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

A student conducting undergraduate research.

Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors
  • Acting
  • Africana Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Bioethics
  • Biology
  • Broadcast Meteorology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Studies
  • Cognitive Science
  • Communication (Fully Online Option)
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal Justice Studies (Fully Online Option)
  • Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • Documentary Studies
  • East Asian Studies
  • Economics
  • Educational Studies
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Film Studies
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • English
  • Forensic Science
  • French
  • Game Design and Development
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Geography
  • Globalization Studies
  • Hebrew
  • History (Fully Online Option)
  • Informatics (Fully Online Option)
  • Instrumental Performance
  • International Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese Studies
  • Journalism (Fully Online Option)
  • Judaic Studies
  • Korean Studies
  • Latin American and Caribbean Studies
  • Law and Philosophy
  • Leadership
  • Legal Studies
  • LGBTQ Studies
  • Library and Information Science
  • Linguistics
  • Machine Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Music
  • Musical Performance
  • Musical Theatre
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Portuguese
  • Pre-Education
  • Psychology (Fully Online Option)
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Russian and Eastern European Studies
  • Social Welfare Studies
  • Sociology (Fully Online Option)
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Sustainability
  • Theatre
  • Theatrical Design/Technology
  • Urban Studies and Planning
  • U.S. Latino Studies
  • Vocal Performance
  • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies